UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. 

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government,    and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:  

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

 South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

The Policy Unit leads UNDP India’s research and advocacy on Global Goals and the national development agenda, with a special focus on environment and climate change, skill development, inclusive growth and strengthening systems for SDG localization.

UNDP seeks to onboard a Policy Intern to join our growing, dynamic Policy unit to provide substantive inputs to key strategic and policy documents, which direct and guide UNDP interventions on climate change, livelihoods, health, gender, and localization of SDGs among others.

Under the supervision of the Senior Economist, the intern will conduct research, assist in formulating policy documents, and provide support on all Policy Unit projects.

The intern will work under the overall guidance of the UNDP Policy Unit team to carry out the following tasks:

• Identify, study, and document development datasets available in the public domain to formulate relevant, high-quality, evidence-led strategic policy briefs, notes and presentations for UNDP and external stakeholders.
• Support ongoing Policy Unit projects through both primary and secondary research along with proper documentation in the form of reports, policy briefs, emails, concept notes among others.
• Foster an active learning environment within and outside the team on relevant policy and advocacy topics.
• Perform additional tasks as allocated by the supervisor.

Educational:

1. The candidate should have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in economics, development studies, public policy, or other relevant social sciences.
2. Or Candidates in the final year and about to complete master’s degree or pursuing PhD in the above academic disciplines can also apply. The candidate must:
3. Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) or/and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.

Or be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program. 

Skills: